In an American Farm Bureau Federation Presidential Candidate Questionnaire, President Barack Obama was asked: "What policies will you support to meet our energy needs and strengthen energy security?" The President stated: "Our rural communities, farmers, and ranchers can increase our energy independence and boost the transition to a clean energy economy. U.S. biofuel production is at its highest level in history...We are increasing the level of ethanol that can be blended into gasoline, and the new Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) helped boost biodiesel production to nearly 1 billion gallons in 2011, supporting 39,000 jobs."

In a speech before Congress made a decision on whether to do away with the countless subsidies Big Oil receives, President Obama stated: "Instead of tax payer giveaways to an industry that has never been more profitable, we should be using that money to double down on investments in clean energy technologies that have never been more promising. Investments in wind power, solar power and biofuels."

During a speech in New Mexico on energy strategy, the President stated: "We are going to develop every possible source of American-made energy. Oil and gas, wind power, solar power, biofuels, fuel efficient cars and trucks to more miles to the gallon. That's ourfuture."

During the October 3 Presidential Debate, President Obama stated: "On energy, Governor Romney and I both agree we've got to boost American energy production. Oil and natural gas production are higher than they've been in years. But I also believe that we've got to look at the energy sources of the future, like wind and solar and biofuels."

At the October 16 Presidential Town Hall Debate, President Obama stated, "The most important thing we can do is to make sure we control our own energy...Natural gas production is the highest it's been in decades. We have seen increases in coal production and coal employment. But what I've also said is we can't just produce traditional source of energy. We've also got to look to the future. That's why we doubled fuel efficiency standards on cars...That's why we doubled clean energy production like wind and solar and biofuels. And all these things have contributed to us lowering our oil imports to the lowest levels in 16 years."

During the third Presidential Debate on October 22, President Obama stated, "We've cut our oil imports to the lowest level in two decades because we've developed oil and natural gas, but we also have to develop clean energy technologies that will allow us to cut our exports in half by 2020...If we're not making investments in education and basic research, which is not something that the private sector is doing at a sufficient pace right now and has never done, then we will lose the lead in things like clean energy technology...I want to control our own energy by developing oil and natural gas, but also the energy sources of the future."

When asked in an American Soybean Association (ASA) Presidential Candidate Questionnaire: "How would your administration protect the ability of the biodiesel industry to remain viable?" President Obama stated: "We must invest in a clean energy economy that will lead to new jobs, new businesses, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil...Last year, rural America produced enough renewable fuels to meet roughly 8 percent of our needs, helping us increase our energy independence to its highest level in 20 years. And a higher renewable fuel standard (RFS) is boosting an industry that supports 39,000 jobs and ensuring its continued growth."

To read all of President Obama's responses to the questionnaire click here.

During President Obama's speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention he stated: "We have doubled our use of renewable energy, and thousands of Americans have jobs today...In the last year alone, we cut oil imports by more than 1 million barrels a day. More than any other administration in recent history. And today the United States of America is less dependent on foreign oil than at anytime in the last two decades."

President Barack Obama's booklet, titled “The New Economic Patriotism: A Plan For Jobs & Middle-Class Security”, outlines his plan for a second presidential term. It states he will be pursing an "all-of-the-above" strategy to energy by, "Investing in domestic energy sources including wind, solar, clean coal, nuclear, and biofuels. All while increasing our energy efficiency."

Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney was asked in an American Farm Bureau Federation Presidential Candidate Questionnaire: "What role do you see for agricultural-based biofuels in the nation's energy supply?" Gov. Romney stated, "America's energy resources can be a long-term competitve advantage for American agriculture and their development is key to the success of the industry. The increased production of biofuels plays an important part in my plan to achieve energy independence. In order to support increased market penetration and competition among energy sources, I am in favor of maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)."

Surrounding the Iowa caucuses, the Des Moines Register partnered with Big Think to produce Conversations with the Candidates, a mini series focusing on the candidates' stances on particular issues. When asked about ethanol, Romney stated: "I do believe we as a nation must establish a national priority to become energy secure and energy independent. And that means we're going to develop new technologies, whether it's cellulosic ethanol, or biodiesel, biofuels, wind power, solar power, nuclear power...there are a whole host of things we can do to generate our own sources of energy."

During the October 3 Presidential Debate, Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney highlighted his five-point plan in his opening remarks stating: "One, get us energy independent, North America energy independent. That creates about 4 million jobs."

At the October 16 Presidential Town Hall Debate, Republican Nominee Mitt Romney stated, "I want to make sure we use our oil, our coal, our gas, our nuclear, our renewables. I believe very much in our renewable capabilities; ethanol, wind, solar will be important to our energy mix...Let's take advantage of the energy sources we have as well as the energy sources of the future."

During the third Presidential Debate on October 22, Former Governor Mitt Romney stated, "I will get America working again and see rising take-home pay again. And I'll do it with five simple steps. Number one, were going to have North American energy independence. We're going to do it by taking full advantage of oil, coal, gas, nuclear and our renewables."

When asked in an American Soybean Association (ASA) Presidential Candidate Questionnaire: "How would your administration protect the ability of the biodiesel indusry to remain viable?" Former Governor Mitt Romney stated, "I have a plan to achieve North American energy independence by 2020, and biofuels will play a role in enabling us to achieve that goal...My policies broadly aim to ensure that all of our energy industries can sustainably become competitive, innovative, and efficient. I support biofuels, as well as the RFS and would seek to eliminate the regulatory barriers to a diversification of our fuel system."

To read all of Gov. Romney's responses to the questionnaire click here.

After an October 9 speech in Van Meter, Iowa, IRFA President Brad Albin shook hands and spoke with Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney and Gov. Romney stated, "I do support the RFS and ethanol."